PREMIERSHIP ROUND 5
 
11 SEPTEMBER 2000

Spurs (0) 1 (Campbell 66)
West Ham (0) 0

Not the best game that either club have been involved in and after my first 90
minute viewing of Sergei Rebrov, I can only assume that he must be better
than this and I'll not judge him on the one game. Spurs played three up front
and therefore it was somewhat ironic to see the winning goal scored by a
player who hasn't found the net for two years! Centre half Sol Campbell was
the scorer with a thumping header that found the net via the crossbar and the
back of beaten keeper Shaka Hislop.


10 SEPTEMBER 2000

Derby (2) 2 (Christie 7, Valakari 39)
Charlton (0) 2 (Jensen 59, Johansen 62)

Terrific entertainment at Pride Park as comeback kings Derby saw the flip side
of things as they were on the wrong end of a Charlton recovery. Malcolm
Christie slotted home early on a after a fine ball from Bragstad and then Somi
Valakari added a second from the edge of the box after a one-two with Dean
Sturridge. Charlton's comeback began when Johansen and Jensen broke clear
from a Derby corner, the former setting up the latter for a tap in and then three
minutes later Johansen earned a point with a tap in after his original effort was
saved by Poom. Derby felt that they should have had a late penalty when
Eranio was tripped by Johansen, but the appeals were turned down despite
replays showing that it was easily a foul.


9 SEPTEMBER 2000

Bradford (1) 1 (McCall 10)
Arsenal (0) 1 (Cole 68)

Bradford City once again showed their ability to hold the big boys of the league
with a creditable draw against Arsenal. Having beaten Chelsea two weeks ago,
the Bantams dreams of a London double looked on when  player/assistant
manager Stuart McCall drove them in front inside the opening ten minutes with
a shot from the edge of the area after Arsenal failed to clear a corner. Young
Ashley Cole saved Arsenal's face with an equaliser, firing home Henry's cross
at the far post to earn the Gunners their second away draw in a week.


Coventry (0) 0
Leeds United (0) 0

Goalless and largely excitement-less at Highfield Rd as Coventry gained their
first home point of the season. The nearest we came to a goal was a couple
of efforts from Michael Bridges that were just off target and a McPhail volley
that clipped the bar, whilst Coventry came close with Hadji's overhead kick
that went just wide and his fellow Morrocan Chippo headed over from eight
yards whilst totally unmarked.


Ipswich (0) 1 (Stewart 90)
Aston Villa (1) 2 (Hendrie 27, Dublin 63)

Ipswich lose at home for the first time this season after Villa eased home with
a goal in each half. Lee Hendrie opened the scoring, chipping home a Vassell
pass. Dion Dublin doubled the lead in the second half with a header from
Merson's corner. Ipswich provided a late revival when Marcus Stewart scored
his first Premiership goal, slotting in at the far post. The game was
overshadowed by a horrific injury to Villa's Luc Nilis who broke his leg in two
places after colliding with keeper Richard Wright early in the game.


Leicester (0) 1 (Taggart 65)
Southampton (0) 0

Leicester go second with a narrow win over Southampton who couldn't provide 
a comeback on this occasion as they did against Liverpool two weeks ago.
The only goal of the game was provided by Gerry Taggart who headed home
a Steve Guppy corner.


Liverpool (1) 3 (Owen 9, Hamann 56, 82)
Man City (0) 2 (Weah 66, Horlock (pen) 80)

Terrific game as Anfield as Liverpool tore into a two goal lead and then in the
traditional manner, allowed Man City back into it before winning late on.
Michael Owen scored his fifth goal in a week, clipping in from the edge of the
box after Heskey sent him clear, to give Liverpool the half time lead. Dietmar
Hamann scored a sensational second with a 20 yard volley after City failed to
clear a ball into the box and the game should have been won, however credit
to City who stormed back into it. George Weah scored the first with a shot into
the corner after Dickov's flick and then Kevin Horlock levelled matters with a
penalty after Haaland was scythed down by Traore, a foul which amazingly the
referee missed, needing to be alerted by his linesman! However, City's joy had
barely died down when Hamann scored his second and Liverpool's third, drilling
home a long throw that Heskey helped on.


Man United (1) 3 (Scholes 13, 82, Sheringham 75)
Sunderland (0) 0

Man United are back on top of the Premiership with their third home win of the
season and still yet to concede a goal at Old Trafford. Paul Scholes opened the
scoring early on, thumping home a header from Beckham's cross, and somehow
they didn't add to it until the 75th minute when Teddy Sheringham doubled the
lead with a flick past the keeper after Cole's header put him clear. Scholes
added his second shortly afterwards with a firm drive into the roof of the net
after good work from Giggs to confirm the victory. The rest of the league can be
grateful that United haven't won away as yet!


Middlesbrough (1) 1 (Watson (S) (og) 7)
Everton (0) 2 (Jeffers 53, 88)

Winning comeback of the day award goes to Everton who came from a goal
down to win thanks to a second half brace from Francis Jeffers. The game
began in comical style when Steve Watson put through his own net to put Boro
ahead, volleying home a Boksic cross. Jeffers levelled things early in the second
half, smashing home a Gravesen through ball, and then won it in sensational
style in the final two minutes, scrambling home after his original effort from
Gascoigne's pass had been saved.


Newcastle (0) 0
Chelsea (0) 0

Newcastle lose top spot after a goalless draw at home to Chelsea. There were
chances however as Cudicini saved well from an Alan Shearer header whilst
Gary Speed volleyed over after a fine Newcastle move. Chelsea's best chance
fell to Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink who headed over from close range whilst under
pressure.


Gary Dowden
Chief Editor - Soccerage (UK)
http://www.soccerage.com
gary@soccerage.com